Tube-cutting mechanism



W. S. PRITCHARD.

TUBE CUTTING MECHANSM.

APPLICATION mw 001,21` 1919.

, Lfl. v Patented Aug. L i922.

2 SHEETSv-SHEET l.

W. S. PRITCHARD.

TUBE CUTTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCTa 27| 1919.

,1,44% ma Patented Aug. 11,1922.

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TUBE-CUTTING MECHANKM.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, WILLIAM S. Perron- Ann, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Tube-Cutting Mehanism, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to the manufacture of tubing and it u*is particularly applicable to the method of manufacture in which long strips of metallic ribbon are fed through a tube forming machine and are continuously advanced during the perfomance of the several operations incident to the lcompleting of the tube. rllhe main obj'ect of the present invention is to provide a mechanical construction for successively severing the continuously advancing tube into sections of a predetermined length. Another object vis the provision of means for preventing the distortion of the tube bein `cut when its length is relatively great. ther objects of the invention reside in the novel arrangements and combinations of parts as more fully hereinafter set forth.

ln the drawings:

Figure 1 is 'a plan view of the machine embodying my invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of aportion thereof;

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3?) of Figure 1;

Figure l i of. Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross section taken at right angles to Figure 4; y F'gures 6, 7, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate modiiied constructions of diderent details.A

The tube is delivered from a tubeformingmechanism (not shown), and since it is continuously advancing it is necessary` that the severing operation should be performed Without interference with such advancement. lt is also' necessary that the severed sections be of an exact predetermined length. To

accomplish this, I have provided a mechanical construction which is actuatedy by the advancing end of the tube for moving the severing device in the same direction ,and at the same speed as the tube'is advancing during the interval in which the severing device is performing its operation. 4

`1 is a saw for severing the tube, this saw s a cross section on the line 4 4 Specication of Letters Patent. ]Pgyttembdl Aug, 9 ygggu application led Uctober 27, 1919. Serial lilo. 333,793. y l

being mounted upon an arbor 2 which is slidably mounted in bearings 3. t is afrotary driving means for the arbor'Z, such as` an electric motor which is coupled to the arbor by a telescopic connection-'5 permitting of independent longitudinal movement. As shown, this telescopic connection comprises a head 6 secured upon the arbor and driven from the motor by means of the parallel pins Sslidably engagin the head. Tlhe arbor is moved longitudine yby the ressure ofV the advancing tube, and the mec anisin for accomplishing this result is as follows: 7 and 8 are collars on the arbor 2 and securedl thereto by suitable means, such as set screws 9. 'Between these' collars is arranged a sleeve 10 having the lateral arm 11 which carries the gauge member 12. The latter in.- cludes a daring mouth piece 13 for receiving theradvancing end of the tube and guiding the same against a lunger 1li` within the gauge member, whic in turn engages the stop plate 1,5, through which motion is communicated to the arm 11, sleeve 10, collars 7 and 8 and arbor 2. Thus, as soon as the end of the tube engages the plunger-1a and forces the latter into contact with the plate 15, the arbor 2, and saw 1 carried by the arbor, will travel at the same speed as`the tube and in the same direction, so that the tube may be severed without interfering with its advancement.

To sever the tube it must be moved later ally into the saw, and as soon as the section is severed the main ortion of the tube must bequickly remove from the path of the saw so that it, ca n continue its advance while thev saw and arbor arelbeing returned to their initial positions. This lateral movement I accomplish by a mechanicalconstruc- .tion which is operated by means of the advancing tube. As shown, 16 is a guide into which the tube enters when it leaves. the tube forming mechanism (not shown). 17' is a second guide pivotally connected at one end Mtl 18 to the first-mentioned guide, and at the is a tie rod pivotally connected to the rock arm 20 and extending substantially parallel to the guides 16 and 17 the opposite end of the tie rod referably having a flattened portion 25. y pulling lthis tie rod 24 the rock arm 20 will be rocked thereby laterally swinging the guide 16 and also the second portion 23- upon the rock arm.

v For the purpose of gripping the tie rodv 24 to pull the same, the fol owing construction ispprovded. The plunger 14 whichl is adapted to be engaged by the advancing end of the tube is provided with the beveled shoulder 26 on the side toward the tie rod, which is adapted to slidably engage the rod 27 extending transversely of the plunger tor force the rod 27 outward to engage the {iattened portion 25 of the tie rod and clamp the tie rod against the housing 28 through which the tie rod passes, and which is secured to the lateral arm 11 upon the sleeve 10. As Vthe tube advances it will also ad-- vance the tierod 24 at the same speed which, as above described, swings the tube into engagement with the saw 1 to be severed thereb yAfter the tube has been severed, it is essential that the guides 16 and 17 be returned to their initial positions, which is accomplished by the following construction. 29 is a coil..

spring located between the inner end of the plunger 14 and the stop plate 15 for returnlng the plunger 14 to its initial position. 30 is a coil spring located between one end of the slot 31 in the cover 32 of the housing 28, and the block 33 also located in the slot and connected to the rod 27 by means of the pin 34, the arrangement being such that, as soon as the plunger 14 is returned to its initial position, the rod 27 will be returned to its initial position by means of the coil spring 30 through the block 33 and its pin 34, thereby releasing the tie rod 24. 354 is a spring coiled around the rod 36 and' located between the stationary arm 22 of the machine and the nut 37 threaded upon the outer end of the rod 36, the innerend of this rod being pivotally connected to the guide 16, as at 38, and preferably extending through the stationary arm 22. This coil spring 35 laterally swings the guide 16 to its initial position thereby swinging the second guide 17 and also the rock arm, or cam member, 20 to their initial positions. Y

For returnin all the parts of the machine which move with the tube to their initial positions, the coil spring 39 is provided coiled around the arbor 2 and located be tween the rear bearing 3 andthe collar 40 upon the arbor 2 and secured thereto, as by the set screws 41.

For opposing a yieldable resistance to the 42 is a latch housing secured at the side of the sleeve 10 within which is mountedvthe spring pressed latch 43 having its lower end 44 beveled to permit oithefhousing 42 and sleeve 10 advancing with the tube, the beveled portion sliding up overthe beveled side 45 of the notch 46 located in the'block 47.

In order to secure diilerent predetermined accurate lengths of the severed sections of the tube, the collars 7 and 8 are adjustable lon 'tudinally of the arbor 2 and are secured 1n ized position thereon by the set screws9. Different predetermined lengths of the second guide 17 are rovided, the correct one of which being su stituted in the machine. Furthermore, the block 47 is adjustable, the

adjustment being permitted by means of the slots 49 in )the block, which are engaged in ,y by the bolts 48. The lattened end portion of the tie rod 24' extends through-the hous-l ing 28 a suiiicient distance to permit of the' desired variation'in lengths of the severed sections.

In operation the parts are normally in the position shown in Figure 1, where the arbor 2 is in its retracted or initial position, being yieldably held in this position by the spring 39. Whenever the machine is 1n operation the formed tube will be continuously delivered vfrom the tube forming mechanism (not shown) into the laterally movable guides' 16 and 17, and the forward end of the advancing tube, after passing through these guides enters the flaring mouth piece 13 and en-l gages the plunger 14 which, through the transversely extending rod 27, clamps the tie rod 24 against the housing 28. The plunger also engages the stop plate 15 to move it in. the same direction and at the same speed as the tube is advancing, the housing 28, thereby laterally swinging the guide 16 toward the saw 1 to sever the tube, and the arm 11 upon 'the sleeve l0, thereby moving the arbor 2, upon which the saw 1 is mounted, so that it is seen that the tube is ios laterally swung into engagement with the i saw 1 and the latter travels with thel tube so that it does not aii'ect the continuous ad-l vancement of the tube.

Also since the guide 16 is connected to the gauge member 12 through the second guide vend constantly in proximity tothe saw 1 while the latter is in operation.` This saw enters a space between the adjacent ends of the guides 1.6 and 17 sufficient to completely sever the tube passing therethrough. As soon as the section of the tube is severed it will be moved out of the path of the followretracto 63 in its upper sur in tube by the yintente rotary movement of the saw an the arts will all assume their initial or d) positions as reviously dcribed. As shown-in the mo ied construction in Figure 6, the coupling connection between the motor 4 and -thearbor 2 comprises the parallel rods 50 on op in the of the motor and en agingl bearings head 51 `which. is secured to the arbor'52 of the saw. This'arbor is hollow and is pro` vided with the cross pin 53. Located .inside this arbor, and abutting against'the cross pin '53 is the retracting coil spring 54 for moving the saw 1 and other parts to their initial or retracted positions. rllhe opposite,l

end of the coil -spring abuts against the plunger 55, which extends between the parallel vrods- 50 and has a bearing upon the head 56 connected to the motor shaft and to which the parallel rodsO are also connected. The length of the` plunger 55 is adjustable to'` vary the tension of the spring 54 this adjustment comprisin the threaded member 57 engaging in the p unger 55 and locked in its adjusted position by means hof the lock nut 58,.

Figure'` discloses a modified construction for clamping the tie rod 24. Specifically 59 'is a member extending transversely of the gauge. member 12 and secured to the` lateral arm 11 of the sleeve. 10, this transversely-extending member having the' rounding bearing 60 for engaging the upper portion of the tie rod 24. 61 is a cooperating member pivotally mounted at 62 near its outer end and having the rounded bearing ace'for engaging the lower portion of the tie rod 24, the tie rod extending through between the cooperating members. The plunger 64 inthe flaring mouth piece 13 has the beveled shoulder 65 for engaging a shoulder 66, at the inner end of the cooperating member .61 and rocking the inner end downward thereby clamping the bearing 63 at the outer end of the cooperating bar against -theftie rod 24 thereby securing the tie rod betweenv bars 59 and 61.

As shown in Figure 8, the coil spring 67 for returning the guide 16 to its initial position is on the side of the guide 16 opposite to that of the rock arm 20, this coil spring is located between the plunger 68 which engages the guide '16, and an adjustment screw 69 threadingly engaged in thestationar arm 22.

Figure 9 s ows the coil spring 70 for re` turning the guide 16 to its initial pcgsition, as encased in the housing 71, the arran ement of parts otherwise being substantia ly the same as disclosed in Figure 1.

rihe lengths of the severed sections ofthe.

tube will be predeterminedly varied, and

for each length of section' a different length of second guide 17 is used. For the longerv lengths of severed sections it is'` essential vthat the tube be guided on all osite side of the axistionary and bein (cent faces with t e grooves 77 and 78 reis initially engaging the plunger 14 and advancing the `movab e parts o the severing mechanism in order to prevent distortion of the tube. This is accom lished by the folguide 17 eomlowing construction: he p'ises the box 72 and the box cover 73 'nged to the boi:y as'at74. 75 and 76 are respectively uppery and lower cooperating cain members, these members being sta# provided in their adjaspectively. 79 is a cam ball engageable in the grooves 77 and 78 and mounted upon the arm 80 which is secured'to the cover 734 of the guide. In the initial orretracted position o`f the guide 17 the cam ball 79 is in the lower portions of the grooves 77 and 78, as shown in Figure 4 particularly, and` the cover 73 is closed so that the tube is enclosed. As the tube advances, it engages the plunger 14 and through this plunger advances the moving parts of the severing mechanism including the guide 17. 'llhe forward movement of the guide advances rthe arm 8O and the cam ball 79 to bring the latter into 'engagement with. the upwardly inclined portions of the grooves 77 and78,

sides while itk thereby swinging the cover 73 of the box 72 into open position topermit of the removal of the tube after it has been severed. The upwardly inclined portions .of the grooves 7 7 and 78 are positioned so that the cover is opened prior to the complete severing of the tube. However, the tube is held in position b the flaring mouthpiece 13 atone end and y the guide 16, so that it cannot drop out of the guide 17, until coinpletely severed. After the tube section has been severed the parts are returned to their initial positions when the cover 73 swings `to closed position and the guide is ready to receive another length of tube.

`What l claim as my invention is: Y

1. ln a mechanism for cutting continuously moving tubing, the combination with a laterally movable guide through which the tubing is delivered, of a rotary severing device having a fixed` axis of rotation, a gauge located in advance of said severing device, a member carried by said gauge and actuated by the forward end of the advancing tubing, and a second member for moving said guide laterally across the path of the severing device, said second 'member being actuated from said gauge and its movements being controlled by said first mentioned member.

2. In a mechanism for cutting continuously moving tubing, the combination with 'a rotary severing device having a fixed axis lsa severing device in advance thereof, a member carried by said gauge and having a limited movement relative thereto, said member being adapted to be actuated by the forward end of the tube, and means controlled by said member for actuating said cam member.

3. In a mechanism for cutting continuously moving tubing, the combination with 'severing'devica a cam ,member for moving said guide, a rod secured to said cam member, a plunger adapted to be actuated by the forward end of -the tube, a member adapted to be moved with said plunger, and a second member adapted to be actuated by said plunger and co-operating with said first mentioned member to clamp said rod.

5. In amechanism for cutting constantly moving tubing, the combination with a de- Vice foryk severing the tube, of a guide for the tube movable across the path of said severing device, a cam member for moving said guide, a rod secured to said cam member, a gauge adapted to be set a predeter.

mined distance in advance of lsaid severing device, a plunger cari-led by sald gauge and y adaptedto be actuated by the forward end of the tube,l a member through which said rod extends and adapted to be moved by said plunger in its direction of movement, and a second member adapted to be moved transversely of said plunger and by said` plunger, said second member oo-operating with said first mentioned member to clamp said rod.

6. In a mechanism for cuttingV continuously moving tubing, the combination with a laterally movable guide through which the tubing is advancing, a rotary severing device, a longitudinally movable arbor carrying said severing device, a gauge adapted to be connected to said arbor at a predeter-I mined distance in'advance of said severing device, means adapted to be connected to said guide for laterally moving the same, means carried by said gauge and ada ted to be actuated by the forward end of t e tube vfor connecting said guide, and first mentioned means,` means for returning said arbor to its initial position afterl the tube has been severed, and a latch member connected vto said arbor for limiting the return *move ment.

7. In a mechanism vfor cutting continu- 8. In a mechanism for cutting continuously moving tubing, the. combination with a laterally movable guide through which the tubing is'advancing, a rotary severing device having a fixed axis of rotation, a gauge adapted to be set a predetermined distance in advance of said guide, a sectional guide for the tubing pivotally connected to said gauge and irst-mentionedguide at its ends, means for laterally moving said first-mentioned guide, means carried by said gauge and adapted to be actuated by the forward end of the tubing kfor controlling and operating said first-mentioned means, and means for holding the sections of said sectional guide closed during the initial engagement of the tube with said means carried by the gauge.

9. In a mechanism for cutting continuously moving tubing, the combination with a laterally movable guide through which the tubing is advancing, of a rotary severing device having a fixed axis of rotation, a `member for moving said guide laterally acrossJ the path of said severing device, clamping means located in advance of said severing device and adapted to'be actuated Aby the forward end of the advancing tubing, and an actuating connection for said guide moving member adapted to be operated by said clamping means.

l0. In a mechanism for cutting continuously moving tubing, the combination with a device for severing the tube, of a sectional guide for the tube movable toward said severing device to move the tube across the path of said severing device, means adapted to be actuated by the tube itself for moving said sectional guide toward said severing device andfor moving said sectional guide and severing device with the tube, and means for maintaining the sections of said guide together during the initial engagement of the tube-with said moving means and for subsequently separating the sections of said guide to permit removal of the severed sections of the tube.

In testimony whereofI aiiix my signature.

WILLIAM S. PRITCHARD. 

